Monday, October 31, 2011

CM James And BK Speaks Urge Community To SPEAK UP For RPPs In Downtown, Central BK

**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE** October 31, 2011

Contact Amyre Loomis at (718) 260-9191

COUNCIL MEMBER LETITIA JAMES AND BROOKLYN SPEAKS URGE THE COMMUNITY TO SPEAK UP FOR RESIDENTIAL PERMIT PARKING IN CENTRAL BROOKLYN!State legislation required to limit consequences of Barclays Center traffic

WHAT: Hearing of the New York City Council Committee on State and Federal LegislationWHEN: Wednesday, 11/2 at 10:30AMWHERE: 250 Broadway, 14th Floor

According to the Empire State Development Corporation, when the Barclays Center opens in September 2012, an expected 35% of arena patrons, or as many as 5,600 cars will travel to the site for each of the projected 220 events held each year. If nothing is done before to mitigate this volume of traffic, there will be an increased risk of vehicular, pedestrian and bicycle accidents that already make Atlantic Avenue Brooklyn's most dangerous road. This barrage of traffic is also expected to cause significant delays at more than half of the intersections within a half mile of the arena. And it will result in almost 3,000 arena patrons taking curbside parking spots in Park Slope, Boerum Hill, Fort Greene, and Prospect Heights.

Among all of the impacts to neighborhood character and quality of life that will come from locating Atlantic Yards' arena within residential communities, none are of greater consequence to more residents than the traffic generated from arena events. But, there is a way to reduce the demand for our local streets. It's called "residential permit parking," or RPP, and it's been effective in other cities, like Boston and Chicago, where sports facilities are located in densely-populated areas. By limiting on-street parking during arena events to local residents, RPP will create a disincentive for arena patrons to drive, reducing congestion and making streets safer.

New York City requires authorization from the State legislature before it can implement RPP. On Wednesday, 11/2 at 10:30AM, the City Council will hear testimony on legislation authorizing the City to enact residential permit parking programs in the five boroughs.

The BrooklynSpeaks sponsors and Council Member James implore you to participate in this critical hearing and make your voice heard.